Friday, December 12, 2008

Throwing a Fit

You know that saying kids learn in preschool or kindergarten?

"You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."

It's cute and useful for when kids get a flavor cupcake they don't want or a pencil that isn't their favorite color.

But honestly, we wouldn't be where we are today as a country if we listened to that. We would have accepted British rule without complaint and been compliant. Instead we kicked their butts to the curb.

Women wouldn't be able to vote, slaves not free.

So, I've decided I don't agree with teaching our kids this. Forget all this "getting along, don't rock the boat, don't express yourself."

Instead I say stand up for what you believe in.

Dare to be different.

I see this a lot. In sports especially, where we aren't supposed to keep score. Or focus on winning. I agree the kids should focus on having fun, but winning is ok too. And teaching them about losing. Because it happens to everyone. And it's OK.

Have you seen these bumper stickers?



Let's misbehave a little.



Any good ideas?


23 comments:

Lula! said...

I had a lifelong friend tell me 2 nights ago, "Of all the people in the world, YOU were the last I ever expected to get a tattoo...and of a skull & crossbones, no less." Her voice was dripping with disdain, too.

WIN! I win! I am all sorts of WIN on this one! Wahoooooooooo! I love being a "rebel" and rocking someone's world.

So yes, let's misbehave. I have plenty of great ideas...such as a plane. In Denver. Heading for potatoesque parts. Where pina coladas will be forced upon you by women wearing Uggs and Bedazzled t-shirts.

Ahem.

lynette355 said...

can i burn a christmas tree in effigy for the lack of christmas spirit i have

Beth said...

Well, I think it's safe to say that I have gone against everything that "should be", thus far.

So, I agree, somewhat. I only say 'somewhat' because my kiddo bit his teacher yesterday. Twice.

Ahem.

So not cool.

Anonymous said...

I hate the 'not keeping score' thing, it drives me CRAZY. Especially when the 'real world' keeps score for the rest of your life.

Yes, let's celebrate individuality in our kids. I'm not a girl (woman), but I've got three daughters, so this comment totally counts.

Happy Friday!

Mama Dawg said...

I wanna be bad! Can I be bad? Can we all be bad together? OMG, can you imagine the trouble we'd all get into?

Jen said...

Oh I so want to misbehave. I am game for it all. Like Lula's idea let just get on a plane and see where we end up.

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

Um...I always misbehave just so I can get SPANKED!

Valarie Lea said...

I agree!!!!!!!

I found some sayings today I was going to use for Softball Media Guide. My favorite was this.....

"If you even Dream of Beating Me, you better wake up and apologize!"

Fight for your right to do something! :)

Captain Dumbass said...

There's nothing my boys don't compete over, nothing, so I don't think this is going to be a problem.

As for me, I tattooed my son's middle names (they're in Thai) on my fore arms after I found out my bank had no HR policy when it came to tattoos. SUCKAS! Bwahaahahahahaaaa!

Trooper Thorn said...

There is a difference between a childish temper tantrum and fighting back after all attempts at mature dialogue and compromise have been exhausted.
In all those examples, reasonable people proposed reasonable requests for representation that were rejected.

Jennifer said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!!

way to make a statement. and you are so right. i agree fully!! :)

i have no great ideas though... not today... i'm fresh outta ideas. :)

that bumber sticker is totally kick-ass though.

and my husband went to the PO and said I have a package from you!! :) Thank you!! I cannot wait to get it!! yay!!

xoxoxo

Britt said...

Love this!

You hide your horns under your hat ..

I hide mine under my curls =-)

My husband told me a few weeks ago that he's sure that's why God gave me curly hair. To convince the world that I'm an angel lol.

Sadly, I have no ideas at the moment, though. Cause I'm a crab-apple today =-)

Ashley said...

I have a t-shirt with this quote. My mom bought it for me ;)

I think it was from some PR thing Maria Shriver was doing for women at some point

The Blonde Duck said...

Let's have a revolution! I'll be the whimsical fighter wearing pink cowboy boots and a tiara!

Susie said...

I completely agree. You have to keep score!! How else are you going to teach your kids to deal with disappointment.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

With the keeping score - you see that a lot in the homeschooling community. By those who don't believe in testing. So unrealistic.

I think that children should be taught manners. And what is appropriate. So that they can tell the difference between being respectful and not. And that sometimes pulling someone aside to explain your issue is better than making a huge stink.

The biggest thing though is to be able to teach our kids to think. Because much of what they learn is regurgitation. Of what the book says. Or the teacher says. Hardly ever what they say :-)

Twisted Fencepost said...

I'm the only hell my Momma ever raised!
I'm the family rebel.
Sometimes gets me in trouble, but always fun!
And I'm the one everyone comes to when they need something done.
I win!!
For the kids, gotta keep score to teach them life's not always a bowl of cherries.
For the women, gotta keep score to show how bad we beat the guys butts!! Ha!
I tell my husband, "Don't argue with me, you'll not win"!

April said...

oh, silly. why do you keep the horns UNDER your hat? cut some holes and let em breath ;-)

Burfica said...

yeah we aren't politically correct, and we stand up for ourselves and others around here.

Daddy was a marine. Two bumper stickers he got this year.

Marine Corps, Go to exotic Places, Meet People, Kill Them.

And

My Marine can hit your honor student at 30 clicks.

hahahahaha

Aunt Julie said...

My favorite all-time bumper sticker? Question Authority. Let's see. I think we should all show up at work, en masse, all over the country, in pj pants on the same day. Any takers?

Misty DawnS said...

AMEN! I couldn't agree more! Both Hubs and I have complained about these same things on a regular basis! This is a truly fantastic post, my friend.

Anonymous said...

Well said, Rhea. I couldn't agree more.

bernthis said...

I've been misbehavin a good part of my life and I have no plans on stopping now.